Movin to a Bigger Enclosure?

[troyboy1900]

I got my veiled chameleon about a week ago and after finding out that his cage was probably too small for him, I went to look for some bigger cages and one that I wouldn't have to change out when he got really big. There was a sale on LLL Reptile for a cage 2'x2'x4' and I bought it and just got done assembling it.

This is how big my veiled is now and was wondering if that cage would be a little too big?

He weighs 7.4 grams and is about 5'' from tip of tail to the tip of his nose.

 

[graydon]

He should be fine in that enclosure. Make sure to use live plants with vines. they need to explore.

 

[pssh]

He could live in there if you cup feed, but I'd try to section off the bottom half or something so he doesn't get 'lost.' My friend had a panther that would get lost and couldnt find his food.

 

[troyboy1900]

Alright, cool, already got a golden pothos in his 12''x12''x18'' and its a little crammed but I find him walkin around inside it sometimes, will get more tho, and suggestions on makin the cage awesome would help out too

 

[pssh]

Ficus' are nice for large cages. So are hibiscus and umbrella plants.

 

[graydon]

I use a ficus and schefellera sp? is pretty common. along with golden pothos. If the cup thing doesnt work out then just free range your food. My cham refuses to cup feed and chams dont eat out of plastic containers in the wild.

Thats why everyone has problems with cup feeding. Its not natural to them.

 

[graydon]

Alright, cool, already got a golden pothos in his 12''x12''x18'' and its a little crammed but I find him walkin around inside it sometimes, will get more tho, and suggestions on makin the cage awesome would help out too

Get some biovine or even garden hose works great for some horizontal perches and "cham" highways.

 

[pssh]

I wouldn't use that large of a cage with that small of a chameleon if he wont cup feed. If he will then go ahead and use the cage.

 

[troyboy1900]

how do you cup feed them, I looked it up and you just put a cup in there where the crickets and feeders can't climb out? and where should I put it?

 

[OOOst16]

wedgining it inbetween branches....like hanging it twards the middle of the cage ....just stabalizing it twards the middle....googling images of it will get you an idea ...im finding it hard to explain...foam cups dont work....insects can climb up the walls!...so that defeats the purpos

 

[pssh]

I use the bottom half of a half gallon milk jug formy veiled. For my 5 month old panther female who refuses a cup of any kind, I use a milk carton feeder. It's basically a milk jug with two sides cut away and screen glued in so the bugs can climb it. If you look up milk carton feeder in the search there are tutorials. My veiled won't go near the milk carton feeder contraption.

I try to free range as much as possible but I prefer to watch to make sure there are none in the cage when I leave. My veiled also likes to hand feed because he's a lazy butt. I make him move for his food though. I also like to skip a day every now and then, it's really cute when I do and he sits over his cup for a while. Theyre pretty dang smart.

 

[nick barta]

I have started many chams your cham's size in larger cages, and have had some that took to cup feeding, and some that did not. For those that did not like the cup, I placed the food within reach on the screen or branch, and fed them that way. I also left some in the cup, and most figured out that when I missed a hand placed feeding, there was food in the cup.

You are correct that the costs of setting up a 18 x 18 x 20 inch set up and then a 24 x 24 x 48 is a huge cost that can be avoided for most,if not all chams.

Nick

 

[jessica]

OK OK I just have to say your lil guy is sooooooo cute!

If you feel uncomfortable with him in that big of a cage like Pssh said block part of it off.

My feeder cups I cut the bottom off of a plastic disposable party cup and hot glue screen to the bottom, I also use 22 gauge galvanized wire to attach the cup on the side of the enclosure right under the basking stick.

With it under the basking stick I know they see the cup, and with the screen at the bottom for some strange reason the crickets jump around more and catch my chams attention.

 

[HecticZ]

I have tried to cup feed mine, but he does not want to. I just make sure too place some crickets where he is basking so he notices them and goes for the kill. I will only add 1 or 2 at a time and make sure he eats them, especially if they are dusted.

I also have about another 10-15 crickets free ranging in the cage, that I feed some fruit and vegetables. If you put the food for the crickets in the same place all the time your chameleon will learn where the food will be and just hang around right over it till a cricket grabs the bait.